DISCOURSE XIII.

THE PROSPERITY OF THE CHURCHES ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF MISSIONS.

Acts xv. 35.

"Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord."

PAUL and Barnabas were distinguished among the primitive disciples, as Missionaries to the heathen. After they had accomplished their first Mission, we read of their returning to Antioch," whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled." Here, it is said, "they abode long time with the disciples." Their attention was occupied, during this interval, in discussing and settling the great question whether circumcision and the ceremonial law should be imposed upon the Gentile converts; in "teaching and preaching the word of the Lord;" and in promoting by all methods the peace, purity, and enlargement of the Church. Of this we have sufficient evidence in the chapter which contains the text, and in the text itself.

Possibly it may have been thought, that as Paul and Barnabas were Missionaries to the heathen, it was aside from their appropriate sphere to expend so much time and labor for the benefit of the Church at Antioch. They however judged differently, and doubtless correctly: For the same love of religion and concern for souls, which prompted them to go forth as Missionaries to the heathen, would prompt

them to labor, as occasion presented, for the benefit of the Churches they had left. And not only so, they must have felt deeply, that it was all-important and even essential to the success of their labors abroad, that the Churches at home should continue to prosper. This, my brethren, is the point suggested in the text, to which I would invite your attention at the present time;-the continued prosperity of the Churches at home is essential to the success of foreign

Missions.

In illustrating this point, I shall,

I. Briefly inquire what is necessary in order to the prosperity of the Churches at home. And,

II. Show how their prosperity stands connected with the success of foreign Missions.

That the Churches at home may continue to prosper, it is necessary that they be supplied with able and faithful Pastors. Without Pastors, they will have no spiritual watchmen or guides, none to feed them with knowledge and understanding, and none to break to them the bread of life. They will of course be scattered as sheep having no shepherd. And with any besides able and faithful Pastors, their situation might be even more pitiable, than though they were entirely destitute.

That the Churches may prosper, they must live in peace. Broils and dissensions are no where more destructive, or more to be deprecated, than in the Church of Christ. They are attended necessarily with a spirit of alienation, envy, and bitterness, which is directly contrary to the spirit of the gospel. In a season of contention respecting religion, and especially respecting its external appendages, the great substance of religion is sure to be lost, and the holy fire of love is extinguished. No instance, it is

66

presumed can be mentioned, in which religion has flourished, and a Church prospered, during such a season. In the earliest and happiest days of the Christian community, it is recorded of its members. that they were of one heart, and of one soul;" and it was among the last directions of Paul to the Church at Corinth, a direction on which were suspended signal blessings, that they should be of one mind, and live in peace."

The prosperity of the Church requires, that its members properly understand and cordially receive the great truths of the gospel.-This, in the estimation of some, we know is of minor consequence. They would regard many circumstances as more intimately connected with the prosperity of a Church, than the particular doctrines which it professed to receive.

But with the Apostles, it was an object of prime importance, that believers should be established in the faith; and they spoke of the Church as "the pillar and ground of the truth." It is plain also, from the nature of the case, that a Church cannot enjoy spiritual prosperity, in a rejection of the essential. doctrines of the gospel. These are the spiritual nutriment of the Christian-" the sincere milk of the word," which he desires to receive, and by which he lives. And as they are the support of Christians, they must be the support of Churches, which are composed of Christians, These also are the spiritual implements, by which hard hearts are broken, stubborn wills bowed, and the rude children of nature are prepared for the Church of God, and the kingdom of glory. On these several accounts, it must be essential to the prosperity of a Church, that it understand and embrace the great doctrines of the gospel. Deprive any Church of these doctrines, and

however elevated its present standing, it will soon be seen to fall from its spiritual glory, to wither and decay.

It is further necessary to the prosperity of the Churches, that the true spirit of religion be generally diffused among the members. This is essentially at spirit of love-love which fixes upon God as its supreme object, and upon other objects, in proportion to their perceived importance.-It is a spirit of humility and faith. It disposes its possessor to entertain low thoughts of himself, but high thoughts, exalted conceptions, of his God. It disposes him to fall as an unworthy sinful creature at the feet of an atoning Saviour, and fix his whole trust and reliance upon him. It is also a spirit of activity and prayer. It will excite those in whose hearts it dwells to do all they consistently can, for the honor of God, the advancement of his cause, and the salvation of immortal souls. And feeling that they can do nothing without strength and assistance from above, they will be led to approach the throne of grace, to seek by fervent persevering prayer the promised Spirit and blessing of Jehovah.-The spirit of religion is moreover a spirit of liberality. He who maintains it in vigorous exercise can assent heartily to the truth of the Apostle's declaration, "Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price; wherefore glorify God, in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." He regards all that he is and has as consecrated to the service of Christ, and is ready to make. any sacrifice or exertion, whenever he can be satisfied that his Redeemer calls -No words are necessary to shew, that when a spirit such as this is generally; diffused and enjoyed in the Churches, they must be in a prosperous state. They will walk, like the

primitive Churches, "in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost," and will be builded up under the smiles of their all-powerful Redeemer. And as little need be said to shew, that no external circumstances or advantages can compensate for the absence of such a spirit. Churches may be able to tell of their wealth and numbers, and point to the splendor of their exterior embellishments; but if they lack the true spirit of religion, all is but a body without a soul, and on all may properly be inscribed, "The glory has departed."

When the Churches prosper, the spirit of religion among them will be not only felt, but exemplified. Those who exercise love, humility, and faith, will manifest the reality of them, not indeed in empty professions, but by habitual obedience, fleeing from sin, and walking humbly with their God. Those who possess a spirit of activity and prayer will exhibit this, by unwearied efforts and persevering cries, that the kingdom of Christ might be advanced, and perishing immortals converted and saved. And those who feel, that all they are and have is consecrated to the Lord, will manifest this, in being "ready to distribute, willing to communicate," and thus "laying up a good foundation against the time to come."

It is necessary to the prosperity of the Churches, that the holy discipline of the gospel should be maintained in its purity. The members must be willing to watch over one another in love, and mutually to perform those painful but important offices which their Saviour has enjoined. Those who decline from their duty must be admonished; those who wander far away must if possible be reclaimed; and those who prove themselves incorrigible must be cut off as